Changeable indicator.



l. HUTCHINSON.

CHANGEABLE INDICATOR.

APPLICATION mm MAYIQ. 1916.

1 ,285,7 1 5 Patented Nov. 26, 1918.

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l. HU'TCHINSON.

CHANGEABLE INDICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAYI5.19I6.

1,285,? 15. Patented Nov. 26, 1918.

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J. HUTCHINSON.

CHANGEABLE INDICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAYIs. 191s.

Patented Nov; 26, 1918.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

J" OB HUTCHINSON, OF ASTORIA, NEW YORK.

CHANGEABLE INDICATOR.

Application filed May 15, 1916.

number, the time of departure, and list of stations, the particular means including the specific form and operation of the device used in effecting the changes in the reading of the indicator.

The objects of the invention are to provide a self contained apparatus which will indicate the desired data from any direction in which the indicator may be used, to improve the simplicity of operation and reduce the initial cost of manufacture and make possible the easy repair of the instrument.

In the construction of the apparatus embodying this invention I provide a frame of suflicient height to carry the track number and time data the proper distance above the floor level, and all operating connections are arranged near the base of the frame where they may be readily reached and manipulated by a person standing on the floor.

The invention consists in the novel combination of parts and features of construction hereinafter described and claimed, and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front view of the indicator, showing the roll cabinets at the base of the frame for the reception of rolls of display curtains, the location of the track number data at the top of the frame, and in the portion broken away'a view of the structure for operating the time indication data and lifting the display curtain which lists the stations.v

Fig. 2 is a side view of the structure shown in Fig. 1 showing in dotted lines and in the portion broken away the relative location of the parts. This view shows the design of the upper part of the structure provided with a forwardly extending dis- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 26, 1918.

Serial No. 97,615.

play pI0]8CtlOI1 so that the track numbers may be seen at either side of the structure.

Fig. 3 is a view of the top of the structure with the cover removed illustrating the position of the drive connection for operating the track number curtains.

Fig. 4 represents a view of the rollers on which the track number curtain ismounted,

the driving means and reversing clutch device being illustrated in detail.

Fig. 5 is a View showing the position of the parts for moving the time card rack and lifting the display curtain which shows the stations. 4

Fig. 6 is a view showing in section the structure of the time card rack, the studs for fastening the device to the stud blocks of the carrying chain being shown in position.

Fig. 7 represents one end of the display curtain and the eyelets for the reception of the hooks carried by the elevating chain.

Like numerals refer to like parts in the drawings. I

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing the structure shOWn provides a framework of wood or metal or a combination of both. The lightness of the operating mechanism makes it possible to use a framework of wood which may be covered with metal sheeting for the sake of appearance. The lower part of the structure provides a number of doors 1 which are mounted on pivot hinges. The hinges are preferably located about a third of the way from the bottom of the door so that the weight of the door and its racks will be properly balanced. On the inner side of the door are a plurality of racks 2 for the reception of the rollers 3 each of which carry a flexible curtain 3* bearing the data for the stations, these rolls being conveniently stored in the base of .the indicator structure. The balance of the door may be so arranged that the weight of the rolls will automatically close the door and thus dispense with any fastening devices.

The indicating apparatus and moving parts of the indicator are carried in the upper portion of the structure and suitable crank attachments are provided at a point convenient to the operator for adjusting the mechanism. Near the base of the moving parts and above the storage drawers 1 are bearing members 4 and at the top of the structure are additional bearing members. The bearing members are fastened to the side walls of the supporting frame and are of standard size so that the parts may be interchanged. Extending horizontally be tween the bearing members at the bottom is a shaft 5 provided with the gears 6 and 6. The operation of the stub shaft 7 or the stub shaft 7 by the removal crank turns a gear 9 Or gear 9 which in turn mesh with and turn the gears 6 and 6 respectively. Spaced apart on the shaft 5 are the sprocket members 10 which are dri en by the shaft At the top of the structure in the bearing blocks previously mentioned is a similar shaft carrying similar sprockets but this upper shaft has no drivingconnections and the sprockets not merely to carry the chains 11 which are nriven by the lower sprockets 10. The chains 11 when operated by the turning of either stub shaft 7 or 7 move up and down in their travel and never progress beyond the height of the sprocket structure. This movement is practically to be compared to a reciprocating motion as differentiated from a continuous turning movement. The chains 11 carry the hook members 12.Fig. 5, which are adapted to engage with the rod 13 of the curtain Referring to Fig. 7 it will be noted that the rod 13 of the curtain 3 is provided with eyelet members extending back over the curtain to provide an opening for the reception of the hook end. The roller 8 is placed in its operative position immediately below the shaft 5 and the chain 11 and as the structure actuated the hook members 12 engage the rod 13 and carry the curtain upwardly against the force of a torsional spring within the roller 3. The shaft 5 is provided with a roller or a drum member 5 rigidly keyed thereto which has a diameter as great or greater than the diameter of the sprocket wheels from the ends of the sprocket teeth. The purpose of this member 5 will be obvious when it is understod that the curtain structure is assisted in its movement by the frictional contact of the roller 5 and further from the fact that its large diameter prevents the curtain 3 from having a wearing engagement with the sprocket chains 11 or the teeth of the sprockets 10.

Each. sprocket chain 11. is provided with a stud block 14: located a little above the hook members 12. These stud blocks receive and carry the screw members 15 which support a display rack device 16 which has a number of openings for the reception of the time cards for indicating the time of the departure of trains. Referring to Fig. 5 it will be noted that the device 16 has a sliding engagement with the screw member 15. It will be noted that the movement of the device 16 when lowered by the chains 11 is limited by a suitable limit stop which may be the shafts 7 and 7 a as shown in the figure indicated. As the hook member carrying the rod 13 moves upward initially the end of the hook engages with the lower end of the device 16 and thus prevents the escape of the rod 13 from the hook. As just indicated on the reverse movement of the chain and hook the effect of the limit stop is to permit the hook to leave the device 16 and travel downward and underneath the shaft 5 to a position where the rod 13 of the curtain is discharged from the hook. This additional movement of the hook to its discharging position is made possible by the sliding engagement and mounting of the display device 16 on the screw member 15 which is carried by the stud block 14-. in.

the chain.

Referring to the structure at the top of the indicator for the movement of the curtains bearing the track number data it will be noted, referring to Figs. 1, 2', 3. and 4:. that this upper apparatus is operated by the attachment of a crank to the stub shaft 17 which is located at a height convenient to the operator. Suitable gearing connections transmit the power from this stub 17 to the apparatus at the'top of the indicator. The. indicating device for this track number data includes two rollers extending horizontally, one above the other, and provides a single actuating device for both rollers leading from the stub shaft 17. Fig. 4C shows rollers 18 and 18 havin the primary gears 19 and 19 connected to their axial extensions. The power from this stub shaft is conveyed upwardly through the gear 17 and the gear 17" through the shaft 17 to the gear 17.

From this gear the power is applied through the adjoining gear 17 and through its shaft to the gear 20. A stationary spindle 2 1 supports the driving connections for the gears 19. At the top and near the bottom of this spindle and loosely mounted on the same are the gears 22 and 22 respectively for driving the gears 19 and 19 Located between the two gears 22 and :22 is a clutch member arranged to engage one of the last two mentioned gears and so arranged that one gear is free when the other gear is engaged. This clutch member is made up of a structure in which a hollow spindle 23 is loosely mounted on the spindle 21 and it will be noted that this hollow spindle 23 has the clutch. ends for engagement with similar clutch devices connected to the gears 22 and 22. loosely over the clutch spindle is a hollow tube 2% to which is fastened a gear member adapted to mesh with the gear previously mentioned. The clutch spindle is driven by the hollow sleeve and the gear 25 by means of the slot 26 and the pin 27 slidably mounted therein. As the gear 20 is turned in one direction it causes the sleeve to travel along the pin and thus raise Fitting or lower the clutch spindle into or out of engagement with the gears 22 and 22*. It will thus be seen that when the gear 20 is actuated to drive the upper gear 22 the gear 22 will be running idle. A reverse movement of the gear 20 will drive the gear 22- and free the gear 22.

here a plurality of curtains are to be used as indicated in Figs. 1-4 it is possible by this structure to have both curtains raised or lowered in the same direction. Referring in detail to the structure shown in Figs. 3 and a it will be noted that in addition to the details just described the rollers 18 and 18 have secondary gears 28 and 28 mounted between the primary gears 19 and 19 and the roller members proper. These second ary gears are mounted to mesh with gears 29 and 29 attached to the shafts of similar rollers 30 and 31 on the other side of the indicator structure. Then the drive member 20 is actuated the rollers on each side of the structure are turned in the same direction and the curtain on each side will be moved in the same direction. This is an obvious improvement over previous structures of the same general type in which the curtains moved in opposite directions and had to be timed to meet at the indicating space or opening.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that a simple and inexpensive indicating device is provided which will correctly and uniformly present the data required. The cooperation of the moving parts makes it possible to lower the device bearing the time cards and thus to cooperate with the apparatus for displaying the station data to efi'ectively prevent the detachment of the apparatus bearing the station data during either the upward or downward movement of the same. The structure includes also the novel means of presenting the track number data and includes the particular reversing structure and device for moving the two separate curtains in the same direction.

Changes in shape, location of the parts and material may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

What I claim is 1. A changeable indicator comprising a supporting frame, bearing members mounted on said frame, a set of parallel rollers comprising a first and a second roller, a display curtain mounted for movement over said rollers, a primary gear mounted adjacent the end of said first roller and rotatable therewith, a primary gear mounted adjacent the end of said second roller and rotatable there with, a driving connection for applying power to said primary gears, a secondary gear mounted to rotate with each. roller of said set, and a second set of rollers carrying a display curtain and having gears in mesh with said secondary gears of the first set of rollers, the operation of said driving connection act'uatlng said rollers to move each 1 curtain in the same direction.

2. A changeable indicator comprising a I supporting frame, bearing members mounted on said frame, a set of parallel rollers coniprismg a first and a second roller, a display curtain mounted for movement over said rollers, a primary gear mounted adjacent the end of said first roller and rotatable therewith, a primary gear mounted adjacent the second set of rollers through said secondary gears, and a connecting drive unit cooperatmg with said primary gears comprlsing a driven gear mounted on a-shaft, separate in termediate driving gears to actuate said primary gears, anda reversing clutch device for applying power from said driven gear to either primary gear through said intermediate gears.

3. A changeable indicator comprising a supportingframe, bearing members mounted on said frame, a set of parallel shafts comprising a first and second shaft, a curtain supporting member rigidly mounted on each of. said shafts and adapted to rotate therewith, a display curtain mounted for movement over said supporting members, a primary gear mounted adjacent the end of said first shaft and rotatable therewith, a primary gear mounted adjacent the end of said second shaft and rotatable therewith, a secondary gear mounted to rotate with each shaft of said set, a second set of shafts and curtain supporting members carrying a display curtain and having gears in mesh with said secondary gears of the first set of shafts, and a driving connection for applying power to said primary gears comprising a spindle mounted at right angles to said parallel shafts and adjacent the ends thereof, separate intermediate driving gears mounted on said spindle and in mesh with said primary gears, a hollow clutch member mounted loosely on said spindle between said intermediate driving gears and adapted to engage with either driving gear, a driven gear mounted loosely on said hollow clutch member, an extension of said driven gear projecting axially with respect to said spindle and clutch member and being provided with a cam surface, and a pin fastened to and projecting from said clutch member and adapted to engage with said cam surface,- to tation of said driven gear causing said pin to travel on said cam surface and said clutch to engage a driving gear, the operation of said driving connection actuating said shafts to move each curtain in the said direction.

4. A changeable indicator comprising a supporting frame, bearing members mounted on said frame, a set of parallel shafts comprising a first and second shaft, a curtain supporting member rigidly mounted on each of said shafts and adapted to rotate there with, a display curtain mounted for movement over said supporting members, a primary gear mounted adjacent the end of said first shaft and rotatable therewith, a priinary gear mounted adjacent the end of said second shaft and rotatable therewith, a secondary gear mounted to rotate With each shaft of said set, a second set, of shafts and curtain supporting members carrying a display curtain and having gears in mesh With said secondary gears of the first set of shafts, and a driving connection for applying power to said primary gears, the operation of said driving connection actuatingsaid shafts to move each curtain in the same direction.

5. A changeable indicator comprising a supporting frame, bearing members mounted on said frame, a set of parallel shafts comprising a first and second shaft, a curtain supporting member rigidly mounted on each of said shafts and rotatable therewith, a display curtain mounted for movement over said supporting members, a primary gear mounted adjacent the end of said first shaft and rotatable therewith, a primary gear mounted. adjacent the end of said second shaft. and rotatable therewith, a secondary gear mounted to rotate With each shaft of said set, a second set of shafts and curtain supporting members carrying a display curtain and having gears in mesh with said secondary gears of said first set, the operation of said first setof shafts actuating said second set of shafts through said secondary gears, and a connecting drive unit cooperating with said primary gears comprising a driven gear mounted on a shaft, separate intermediate driving gears to actuate said primary gears, and a reversing clutch device for applying power from said driven gear to either primary gear through said intermediate gears.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JOB HUTCHINSON.

lVitnesses ALBERT B. TEN EYCK, ALFRED URBAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,285,715, granted November 26, 1918, upon the application of Job Hutchinson, of Astoria, New York, for an improvement in Changeable Indicators, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 77, claim 2, after the Word roller and before the comma insert the words and rotatable therewith; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 14th day of January, A. D., 1919.

i F. W. H. CLAY,

[SEAL] Acting Commissioner of Patents. Cl. 40-93. 

